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The Sentiment of Parting: The "Laser Tree" at the Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony Showcases Chinese Romance
by MIYA LASERS on Oct 18, 2024
At the Beijing Winter Olympics closing ceremony, the program The Sentiment of Parting moved countless audiences. A series of willow branches slowly gathered, eventually forming a "towering tree" made of lasers at the center of the stage. This tree, which carries the deep emotions of the Chinese people, extended skyward, not only showcasing a unique form of Chinese romance but also illustrating the perfect blend of technology and art, a true pinnacle of both.
So, how was this breathtaking laser show created?
What is Laser?
In 1917, Einstein proposed the theory of "interaction between light and matter." When particles in a higher energy level are excited by photons, they transition to a lower energy level, emitting light of the same nature as the exciting photon. This process is called "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation," or LASER, as we know it today.
Lasers have highly consistent optical properties and an extremely high brightness, far exceeding ordinary stage lights. In fact, laser brightness can be hundreds of billions of times higher than the surface of the sun. Because of this, lasers are often referred to as "the fastest knife," "the most precise ruler," and "the brightest light."
The Realization of the Laser Tree: Full-Color Beam Laser Technology
The "laser tree" presented at the Winter Olympics closing ceremony used full-color beam laser technology. This technique integrates advanced laser lights and lighting equipment, including custom laser light projectors, front-end optical shaping, end-point control, and RGB tricolor lasers. By combining multiple technologies, the laser beams created the stunning tree that mesmerized the audience.
The high-powered RGB tricolor laser stage lights used during the Winter Olympics could display 16.77 million colors. Paired with mechanical design and signal control, these laser light projectors allowed for unlimited color adjustments, offering a wide range of possibilities for laser stage lighting outdoor events.
How Does the Laser "Reach the Sky"?
Among known light sources, lasers are the purest and brightest. They have exceptionally strong directionality, which allows for precise long-distance projection without dispersion. For example, a laser shot 20 kilometers away produces a beam only 20-30 cm in diameter. Even when directed at the moon, 380,000 kilometers away, the beam diameter remains under 2 kilometers.
The laser lights used during the Winter Olympics featured a 30,000-hour lifespan, with high luminous intensity and wide coverage. Additionally, they are much more energy-efficient compared to other lighting equipment, outperforming LED sources by 3 to 5 times and gas light sources by 10 to 15 times. These characteristics enabled the laser tree to achieve its breathtaking "sky-reaching" effect.
Laser Display: Pushing the Limits of Human Vision
Laser display technology is currently the only display capable of fully achieving the international BT.2020 standard. Traditional display systems can only cover around 30% of the colors visible to the human eye, while laser displays can cover over 90%. This makes lasers an ideal solution for delivering ultra-high-definition visuals with a wide color gamut, which provides audiences with a visually stunning and comfortable viewing experience.
Laser Display: Pushing the Limits of Human Vision
Laser display technology is currently the only display capable of fully achieving the international BT.2020 standard. Traditional display systems can only cover around 30% of the colors visible to the human eye, while laser displays can cover over 90%. This makes lasers an ideal solution for delivering ultra-high-definition visuals with a wide color gamut, which provides audiences with a visually stunning and comfortable viewing experience.
The Technology Behind the Winter Olympics "Laser Tree"
Behind the spectacular laser tree in The Sentiment of Parting was two years of technical refinement. From multiple rounds of design and environmental simulation to site testing, the team perfected the use of concert lights and laser stage lights to create the visual masterpiece at the closing ceremony, demonstrating China’s cutting-edge technological innovation on a global stage.
The Broad Applications of Laser Technology
In addition to the Winter Olympics, laser stage lights have been used in various large-scale events, such as the Weinan Museum Light Show, the Tengwang Pavilion Light Show in Nanchang, the Oujiang Bridge Water Screen Show in Wenzhou, and the Daming Lake Laser Water Show in Jinan.
The MIYA F3500 20W Waterproof Outdoor Laser Light is an excellent example of how advanced laser show technology can be applied. With DMX512, ILDA, and sound control modes, this laser light projector features a powerful 20W RGB 3-in-1 configuration that creates dynamic animated graphics and patterns. Its rugged design, coupled with 300W rated power, ensures reliable performance in any outdoor environment.
Laser technology has applications far beyond lighting. It is also widely used in fields such as medicine and communications. The ability of laser technology to shine on a global stage like the Winter Olympics demonstrates its reliability and advanced capabilities. This also indicates the bright future for tricolor laser technology in outdoor laser lights and concert lights, offering endless inspiration for the performing arts industry.
Conclusion
The "laser tree" at the Winter Olympics closing ceremony not only exemplified Chinese romance but also showcased the limitless potential of technology. The successful application of full-color beam laser stage lighting outdoor showe the world the perfect combination of technology and art. As laser technology continues to evolve, its future in laser stage lights, outdoor lighting, and performing arts will undoubtedly bring more creativity and innovation.